Fishing rod holding apparatus and related boat and method

Abstract

A fishing rod holding apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include a crossbar and one or more rod receivers affixed to the crossbar. Each of the rod receivers may be configured to receive a fishing rod. Further, the apparatus may include at least one bracket engaged with the crossbar and configured to engage a boat. The apparatus may additionally include an actuator engaged with crossbar and configured to rotate the crossbar to change an angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to the vertical plane. A related boat and a related boat accessory operation method are also provided.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A boat, comprising:
 a roof structure; and 
 a fishing rod holding apparatus, comprising:
 a crossbar; 
 one or more rod receivers affixed to the crossbar, each of the rod receivers being configured to receive a fishing rod; 
 at least one bracket directly engaged with the crossbar and engaged with the roof structure; 
 an actuator that has a first, fixed end configured for engagement with a stationary portion of the boat and a second, moveable end in a fixed engagement with the crossbar or a portion thereof and configured to rotate the crossbar to change an angle of the one or more rod receivers with respect to a vertical plane; and 
 a controller configured to actuate the actuator. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The boat of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to extend and retract to move the one or more rod receivers toward the vertical plane and away from the vertical plane. 
     
     
       3. The boat of  claim 1 , wherein the roof structure comprises a roof and one or more supports, wherein the at least one bracket is engaged with the roof. 
     
     
       4. The boat of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one bracket is engaged with an underside of the roof. 
     
     
       5. The boat of  claim 1 , wherein the crossbar includes at least one end plate positioned inwardly of the at least one bracket, the second, moveable end of the actuator being engaged with the end plate at at least one fixed connection point. 
     
     
       6. The boat of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one end plate is a forked end plate having a first fork and a second fork in spaced apart relation from one another and defining a recess therebetween, such that the second, moveable end of the actuator is configured to be received within the recess between the first fork and the second fork for engagement with the forked end plate at a connection point between each of the first fork and the actuator and the second fork and the actuator. 
     
     
       7. The boat of  claim 1 , wherein the crossbar is curved and the roof structure includes a roof that is curved proximate the crossbar, a radius of curvature of the crossbar corresponding to a radius of curvature of the roof. 
     
     
       8. The boat of  claim 1 , wherein the roof structure comprises an extendable sunshade. 
     
     
       9. The boat of  claim 8 , wherein the controller is configured to actuate the actuator to rotate the rod receivers away from the vertical plane prior to extending the extendable sunshade. 
     
     
       10. The boat of  claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to actuate the actuator to rotate the rod receivers toward the vertical plane after retracting the extendable sunshade. 
     
     
       11. The boat of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to actuate an electric actuator, a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, or a combination thereof.